Nonfiction Animal Biology

When Jennifer Doudna was a sixth grader in Hilo, Hawaii, she came home from school one afternoon and found a book on her bed. It was The Double Helix, James Watson’s account of how he and Francis Crick had discovered the structure of DNA, the spiral-staircase molecule that carries the genetic instruction code for all forms of life. This book guided Jennifer Doudna to focus her studies not on DNA, but on what seemed to take a backseat in biochemistry: figuring out the structure of RNA, a closely related molecule that enables the genetic instructions coded in DNA to express themselves.

On remote Codfish Island off the southern coast of New Zealand live the last 91 kakapo parrots on earth. These trusting, flightless, and beautiful birds - the largest and most unusual parrots on earth - have suffered devastating population loss. Now, on an island refuge with the last of the species, New Zealand’s National Kakapo Recovery Team is working to restore the kakapo population. With the help of 14 humans who share a single hut and a passion for saving these odd ground-dwelling birds, the kakapo are making a comeback in New Zealand.

Meet animals that live in the desert, including camels, lizards, owls, snakes, spiders, and tortoises. Pair this nonfiction title with its fiction companion book, No Bugs Here.

¿Quién es la criatura más hambrienta en el mar del sur? El camarón antártico puede moverse en cardúmenes y el bacalao azul puede estar cazando para cenar, pero ninguno es lo suficientemente feroz como para estar en la cima de la red trófica. Este es un cuento con sabor a "pescado" sobre quién se come a quién. Los depredadores se vuelven presas y finalmente, sólo un animal llega a la cima. Bucea dentro del rítmico texto y averigua quién podría ser.

Mary Holland capta los primeros meses de la vida de un búho. Los grandes ojos y las esponjosas plumas se robarán el corazón de los lectores mientras aprenden cómo los padres de los búhos carabo norteamericanos preparan a sus jóvenes críos para el gran mundo fuera del nido. Acompaña a Otis mientras aprende a comer, pelea con su hermana, y se prepara para alzar el vuelo.

Hibernation is a cycle that some animals go through every year. Most people know that bears hibernate. But why do they hibernate? And what other animals hibernate?

Southern white rhinos are in trouble. For years, a rumor has been spreading that their horns can be used to cure cancer, and poachers have been targeting these gentle creatures. Sandra Markle takes listeners behind the scenes to see how civilians, volunteer organizations, and African governments are working together to protect rhinos.

During an ordinary visit to the library, a young girl pulls out a not-so-ordinary book from the shelves. As she turns the pages in this book about coral reefs, the city around her slips away, and she finds herself surrounded by the coral cities of the sea and the mysterious plants and animals that live, hunt, and hide there.

The monarch is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. Young listeners will learn about the monarch's cycles, from eggs, to larva stage, to pupa stage, to becoming the adult butterfly.

Acclaimed author Joyce Sidman has received multiple awards for her books of poetry, including a Caldecott Honor for Red Sings from Treetops. Itself a Newbery Honor, Book, Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night features several spellbinding poems about “the feast of sound and spark” that awakens with the raccoons, snails, owls, and crickets each night after sunset.

How does an egg become a butterfly? Follow each step in nature's cycle - from egg to brightly colored insect - in this fascinating book!

How does a foal grow into a horse? Follow each step in nature's cycle - from birth to stallion or mare - in this fascinating book!

How does a tadpole become a frog? Follow each step in nature's cycle - from egg to adulthood - in this fascinating book!

Dive beneath the waves to meet the crabs, fish, turtles, whales, and seaweed that live in the ocean habitat. Pair this nonfiction title with its fiction companion book, The Fish.

Whether they're scrambling up trees or scampering across lawns, squirrels are fun animals to watch! Beginning audiences can learn about these furry backyard visitors through low-level text in this engaging title.

What do you know about rays? Beginning listeners will get their feet wet with these literacy-building introductions to ocean animals.

What do you know about jellyfish? Beginning listeners will get their feet wet with these literacy-building introductions to ocean animals.

What do you know about clown fish? Beginning listeners will get their feet wet with these literacy-building introductions to ocean animals. In addition to curricular information, social-emotional questions encourage reflection and family/educator engagement tips help connect the topic to the listener's life. These books are sure to make a splash!

What do you know about starfish? Beginning listeners will get their feet wet with these literacy-building introductions to ocean animals.

What do you know about dolphins? Beginning listeners will get their feet wet with these literacy-building introductions to ocean animals. In addition to curricular information, social-emotional questions encourage reflection and family/educator engagement tips help connect the topic to the listener's life.